We feel betrayed and deceived, says Leala

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 19 May 2022, 10:37PM

The Human Rights Protection Party secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi has expressed disappointment with the Prime Minister’s comments early this week on the controversial Harmony Agreement.

The MP for Faleata No. 3 told the media during a press conference on Thursday that it was Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) lawyers who drafted the terms and conditions of the agreement and the H.R.P.P. leadership now regrets signing it.

"We feel betrayed and deceived," said Lealailepule. "The agreement was made out of pure intentions and good will so we can all move forward together and keep the peace. 

"However, it's disappointing and sad to see that the agreement is being played down and taken lightly by these people, who initiated this action as a way to move forward. 

"As a matter of fact their lawyers were the ones who drafted the terms and conditions of the agreement." 

The key concern for the Opposition party now is the two parties’ abandoning of the agreement, according to Leala, which he says has led to "unnecessary complaints" against each other that is stirring up the peace in Samoa's political landscape.

"It's sad because we were really hoping to move forward together but now we have come to this.

"Now there will be more complaints and investigations – a path we all don't want to go through. 

“Something our leaders could have avoided if we had stayed true and loyal to the agreement and it will create more conflicts and disagreements.

"We question the integrity of those people as leaders. It's quite sad that we have come to this."

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said the agreement that she signed for a Court proceeding should not be misconstrued for the business of the House. 

She then disputed the contention by the Opposition Leader and H.R.P.P. leader Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi that the “Harmony Agreement” settles other differences between the two political parties outside the Court. 

Fiame explained the legal document she signed was a “deed of settlement” and was specifically intended to discontinue the contempt of Court matter. 

“The deed of settlement is for the Court matters and they now want it to be applicable here,” she said. 

“My view as the leader of the party and as a Member of Parliament, this will be used as a justification for misbehaviour and it is not right because it was not intended for this."

(The Supreme Court rejected the application to discontinue the case and subsequently found Tuilaepa and H.R.P.P. secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi guilty of scandalising the Court).

The Harmony Agreement as outlined in the Supreme Court's verdict on the Contempt of Court case against Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and other H.R.P.P. members reads:

"The Hon Fiame Mata'afa MP, in her own capacity and as leader of Fa’atuatua i Le Atua Samoa Ua Tasi and the Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi MP, in his own capacity and as leader of the Human Rights Protection Party have agreed, with the permission of the Supreme Court, to discontinue the contempt proceedings between them.

"The two Hon Leaders have engaged in thorough discussion following the aftermath of the April 2021 General Election and the consequent court proceedings and the wider challenges that Samoa now faces. 

They have formed the common view that it is now necessary:- to ensure and secure political and social stability for the benefit of all people and residents of Samoa;

"To promote peace and harmony for the public of Samoa, which is the prevailing public interest in light of the months of uncertainty and disruption to the conduct of governance after the general elections in April 2021;

"To face the current challenges to Samoa in terms of the global pandemic brought upon by Covid-19 and the effect on the environment caused by climate change, as a nation united under God; and

"To recognise that Samoa is a small country with limited resources and therefore particularly vulnerable during times of economic, political and social instability and, further, that Samoa has a unique culture where everyone is connected one way or another either through family ties or matai titles;

"To restore public confidence in all the democratic institutions upon which our government and society are founded;

"To restore and acknowledge the traditional honour and dignity belonging to all those who lead the country, from the heart of each family, to the villages, districts and islands; and

"In doing so seek to respect the overarching spiritual leadership of the various denominations of our Christian churches for the glory of God.

"They have, therefore, agreed that, rather than cause further disagreement and disharmony, they discontinue the contempt proceedings and, further: to emphasise and uphold their shared respect, and their support for all Samoa to respect, for the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the judiciary of Samoa; and to record their agreement to move forward under the Constitution, with which Samoa is blessed and under which the courts of Samoa were able to resolve the unprecedented disagreements of the past year."

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By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi 19 May 2022, 10:37PM
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